Alex Pereira is making headlines once again, and this time it's not just about his fists—it's about his frame. The former UFC light heavyweight and middleweight champion has revealed a jaw-dropping target weight as he prepares to step onto the White House lawn on June 14 for a historic showdown.
Pereira is set to face Ciryl Gane in the co-main event for the interim heavyweight belt, a fight that could crown him as the UFC's first-ever three-division champion. For most fighters who once competed at 185 pounds, bulking up to heavyweight would be a daunting challenge. But for the Brazilian knockout artist, it seems like just another step in his relentless evolution.
Pereira's journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He burst onto the UFC scene in 2022, knocking out Sean Strickland and then Israel Adesanya to claim the middleweight title. After losing the belt in a rematch with Adesanya, he moved up to light heavyweight, where he quickly dominated the division. His reign at 205 pounds included three successful title defenses, including a brutal knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300. After avenging his loss to Magomed Ankalaev, Pereira felt it was time to move up again.
"I was a very heavy middleweight, and I was feeling it," Pereira told New York Post Sports. "Now I'm walking around like 113 kilograms (249 pounds). And I was eating even more when I was at middleweight. At some point, it just becomes natural, your natural weight, and this is how I'm feeling right now."
Despite his size, Pereira is being strategic about his weight management. "I don't want to be too heavy," he explained. "That's why we're going through a lot of protocol for that, a lot of planning." This careful approach could be key against Gane, a former interim heavyweight champion known for his agility and striking.
Of course, not everyone is ready to hand Pereira the three-division crown just yet. Some critics argue that he'll need to unify the belts against current interim champion Tom Aspinall to truly earn the title. The winner of Pereira vs. Gane is expected to face Aspinall later this year, once the Englishman recovers from double eye surgery.
Whether he's chasing history or just another belt, Pereira's transformation is a testament to his dedication. For fans and fighters alike, it's a reminder that in the world of combat sports, the only limit is the one you set for yourself.